May 2014
World Premiere!Audia Flight FL Three Integrated Amplifier And FL Three CD PlayerA dynamic combination from Civitavecchia, Italy, destined to turn heads.Review By Anthony Nicosia

Audia Flight is a highly
respected high-end audio manufacturer based out of Civitavecchia Italy, about
70km north of Rome. Founded in 1996 by Massimiliano Marzi and Andrea Nardini,
men with backgrounds in the professional electronics industry, their goal was to
design and build components that neither altered the audio signal nor slowed its
transmission. From 1994-1996 both men working together designed a new circuit,
at current rather than voltage feedback allowing for a high speed response and
easy load control, even if reactive. The first year of retail production
occurred in 1997 and since that very first day their product and production
policy has simply remained:

"Our products come from the synergy between
sophisticated and original design, Italian style."

My first introduction to Audia Flight came via a
visit to Blue Moon Audio in Pacifica, California. There owner Len Kinsey had me
listen to their FL Two integrated amplifier priced at $5195, where it's glorious
sound and simple elegant design immediately caught my attention. Audia Flight
makes three different series of product lines. One was designed to meet the
needs of cost conscience high end audio buffs, the Three Series, while the
second is a step up in price for the more discriminating audiophile and called
the Classic Series. At the top of the lineup, for those who seek only the very
best, is the brand new Strumento series consisting of two power amplifiers, a
preamplifier, and a number of forthcoming pieces due later this year

.

Through the suggestion of their United States
distributor Paul Manos, of High Fidelity Services out of Hingham, Massachusetts,
the concept of a system review was born. Happily I consented to examine both the
FL Three integrated amplifier and FL CD Three CD player. Synergy always being a
good thing it felt right to couple both of these entry level products from the
same company together in order to experience the full flavor of Audia Flight in
its most pure form. In an effort to set the stage properly we shall start with
an overview of the physical and technical details of each individual product.
This is followed by a brief listening session of each unit alone placed within
my main system for a comparison within a familiar to me environment. Once this
background has been set we can then review the two played together in
combination for a system analysis. Both Magnepan 3.6R Loudspeakers placed upon
special custom made three wooden layer platforms and Spendor SP1/2R²
loudspeakers sitting atop Skylan Stands will be used at various times during
this review.

FL Three Product Overview

The
FL Three is designed for the high-end audiophile where budget is a concern.
While being priced moderately for a high-end audio design it does not skimp on
quality and is loaded with features that should satisfy all but the most
demanding of audiophiles. Need an upgrade (what audiophile does not) then order
the optional USB 24-bit/192kHz DAC board converter and or the optional MC/MM
phono board. Standard equipment will include a headphone output with a
loudspeaker off switch so you may listen to your music with headphones only. The
remote control is made from a solid aluminum billet that fitted quite nicely in
my hands, being neither too big nor too small. The input selector controls four
unbalanced and one balanced input while featuring sealed relays in inert
atmosphere and gold terminations. Also in use is a high quality ALPS blue
potentiometer and lest we forget all their units are 100% made in Italy.

Audia Flight states the following about the FL
Three,

FL CD Three Product Overview

This
reference quality CD player features a 24-bit/192kHz upsampling converter and an
ultra-precision reference clock with the aim to produce a highly detailed
presentation without any digital harshness. It has a toroidal transformer and a
Class A full balanced analog output sections to help it achieve a very wide
dynamic range. The 15mm front panel and remote control are made from solid
aluminum like that found on the FL Three integrated amplifier mentioned above.
Again the FL CD Three was brought to market in an attempt to offer exceptionally
good value while giving away little with regard to high-end audiophile
specifications or sound. XLR and RCA outputs are located on the rear panel along
with a digital out output connector.

Audia Flight FL Three Integrated Amplifier

What better way to start a review of an Italian
product than to listen to the great tenor voice of the Italian-born Andrea
Bocelli from the CD Amore [Decca
B0006069-02]. Here my OPPO Digital player was connected through its XLR outputs
to the FL Three. The vocal magic and power of Andrea Bocelli was quite evident
as he sang "Amapola". Playing this track as loud as I dare without risking
damage to my ears, my Spendor SP1/2R²
Loudspeakers (mounted on Skylan Stands) stayed their course sounding clear and
unwavering. The FL Three sounded great when played softly but as it approached
playback levels of a larger magnitude it exceeded my expectations revealing the
true potential of my loudspeakers.

To
change things up a bit in stepped "Another One Bites the Dust" from the Queen Greatest
Hits CD [Hollywood Records 2061-62465-2]. Here the FL Three showed it
could play rock and roll music without sounding neither congested nor confused.
It added a nice three dimensional image to the opening vocals on "Fat Bottom
Girls" that was quite impressive. The piano track from Philip Glass's Solo Piano CD [CBS MK 45576] was up next. Here this
performance not only sounded open and alive but expansive as well. Notes from
the piano filled the space in-between my loudspeakers while extending back
towards the rear wall as well. Not the deepest extension but satisfying
nevertheless. Before going too far with the FL Three it seems time to talk a bit
about its partner the FL CD Three CD player as this review, after all, is a "systems"
examination of the two together. Moving on now my Parasound power amplifier and
Aesthetix Calypso tube/hybrid preamplifier were placed back into the review
system while removing the FL Three integrated and of course substituting the FL
Three CD player for the OPPO Digital CD player.

Audia Flight FL CD Three CD Player

Connections
from CD player to preamplifier were all done using XLR connectors. On the Johnny
Cash CD The Legend of Johnny Cash [Legacy
B0006288 02] I heard similarities to the FL Three integrated in that this CD
player exhibited a clarity that immediately grabbed my attention revealing
intricate details hidden within layers of the music. "Folsom Prison Blues"
sounded more like a live performance than when played back through my OPPO
Digital which though selling for considerably less than the Audia Flight has
been known to outperform players costing a great deal more. Notch one up for the
FL Three. Johnny Cash's guitar had an extra bite or sharpness to it lending
credence to its ability to sound more live then recorded. Mozart's "The Marriage
of Figaro" from the CD Great Overtures [Digital
Stereo HCT-2-8816] is a classic bit of music history. This piece jumps right
into it full force from the opening few notes and to me sounds best when played
at louder levels. The FL CD Three had no problem reproducing the full orchestra
with all its majestic overtones and dynamic contrasts. The string sections
sounded quick and smooth, exhibiting no tonal harshness while sounding as
expansive as my Spendor loudspeakers would allow. While this player does not
read SACD media, my copy of The Rolling Stones Beggars
Banquet [abkco 95392] has both SACD and Redbook layering and the FL
CD Three had no problem reading its Redbook content. "Sympathy for the Devil"
exhibited a soundscape width that went beyond the loudspeakers while clearly
keeping separate individual performers within the soundscape. But enough of this
now as it is time to get on with the real purpose of our discussion today, which
is to see how both components from Audia Flight would operate together as one
complete integrated system. So onward we go placing the FL Three integrated back
in to be matched up with the FL CD Three CD player. All connections again were
done via XLR outputs/inputs.

System Review

Since my review sample integrated amplifier came
equipped with their optional phono board that seemed like a good place to start.
At a modest price of only $425 factory installed and good to use with either
Moving Magnet or Moving Coil cartridges, I really did not expect much in the way
of ultimate performance. It was after all to be used to replace my own Musical
Surroundings Nova Phonomena Phono Stage ($1000) which is over twice its price.
Silly me, I should have realized that Audia Flight makes a stand-alone phono
stage the "FL Phono" which retails for $5995 that has recently received
excellent reviews. It seems that a trickle down philosophy is at work here as
this modestly price phono board was shockingly good for its price point and well
beyond. Once the music started it was easy to forget its low cost as the sound
coming from my system was of such a high caliper that I quickly become lost
within the music. If you need to change the settings though you must remove the
cover to the FL Three and flip some switches, unlike my own phono stage where
the switches are located outside and around back of the unit for ease of access.
To be fair though unless you are moving cartridges around often, most will just
set it once and forget about it until a replacement cartridge, if different is
needed. Starting out with Dinah Washington's', Unforgettable
[Mercury Records MG20572] I naturally turned to its title song. Those not
familiar with her Blues style of singing might want to give her a listen,
especially if you can find some of her older vinyl recordings. Here the phono
stage exhibited a window to the music allowing me to look clearly into the
soundscape placing all instruments and performer appropriately within. The
fullness of her voice was quite evident and did not sound thin as many lesser
phono stages have a tendency to do. It was time now to pull out one of my
favorite vinyl records, this one from Morten Lindberg of 2L, the Mozart
Violin Concertos [2L-038-LP]. Using 180gram audiophile grade vinyl
and recorded at the Selbu Church in Norway (May 2006) this recorded performance
is top-self. Violins sounded as smooth as silk and created such an illusion that
one could almost imagine being right there in that very church in Selbu. Whether
listening at low or high volumes the music remained constant and always full of
the small nuances that make listening to a good system worth its overall high
cost.

Slipping over to the digital side of things it was time to
turn on the FL CD Three. If connecting it to the FL Three though there is no
digital input so XLR or RCA connections would be mandated. The company supplies,
as standard equipment, a connection so that one may operate the turn on/off
feature of both the FL CD Three and FL Three integrated together making easy of
operation a slightly simpler quicker task. Both units are physically similar in
size, shape and front panel design making for a nice "system" fit. It would seem
appropriate to mention here that the FL Three integrated had some very useful
features. Having a balance adjustment is always on my must list with
preamplifiers and the FL Three satisfied that requirement. It also allows you to
dim or raise the front panel lights. That is a nifty feature I adore as some
audio gear occasionally gives me a headache with their overly bright lights
shining directly at my eyes, no problem with here though. The review sample came
not only with the optional phono boards but also the optional USB 24-bit/192kHz
DAC board priced at $475, factory installed. You can also rename each of the
five inputs to identify the source, which is always a good idea if like me you
forget what went where. Now back to the listening portion of this review.

On Tracy Chapman's CD Our
Bright Future [Elektra 514061-2] with "Something to See" being a
recording I am quite familiar with, there seemed to be an added sense of mid
bass depth. Also of note was a better three-dimensional imaging that was not so
clearly evident in my previous listening sessions with this song. When listening
to "Sing for You" vocal clarity remained a strong point with a little bit of
extra detail found within. There was just that little bit of extra "you are
there" presence, enough to give the recording a sense that you were being given
a slightly new presentation with each song. Remember now out had come my
tube/hybrid preamplifier and this now was an all-new solid state system so
perhaps some tube haze had been removed. Either way the sound was definitely
good especially considering products at this price point. Detail was surly one
of this systems strong points both when listened to separately but especially
when placed together in combination.

While listening through my Spendor loudspeakers to Carlos
Santana's "Da Le Taleo" on the Supernatural CD
[ARISTA 07822-19080-20] this "system" left little to the imagination with regard
to detail and microdynamics. Here the soundscape was full of various performers
quite accurately placed onstage although they seemed a little crowded together.
Thinking this was not the fault of the Audia Flight products under review I
switched over to my Magnepan
3.6 loudspeakers which Enjoy the
Music.com's own editor Steven R. Rochlin swooned over in a past
review. Ah yes, all was right now as the soundscape opened up to fill my room
left to right with a new added sense of height as well. I mention this in case
you get to hear these components using loudspeakers that do not allow them to
breathe at full throttle. The Spendor's are great at pinpoint imaging and vocal
texture but in a good sized room the much larger Magnepan's, given the right
circumstances, can fill that room with music just a little bit better. Leaving
the Magnepan's in place to better check the bass capabilities of this "system" I
flipped forward to "Maria Maria" featuring of course Carlos Santana along with
The Product G & B. Here the Magnepan's were able to expose the bass
capabilities of this duo enough to give me a feel as to how well they could
perform. I would have loved to try these two Audia Flight products with
loudspeakers capable of going even lower as I think I did not test their bass
capabilities to their fullest potential. What I did experience though was good
solid mid to lower bass that made me quite happy overall, leaving me with no
complaints and a smile on my face.

Interesting Features Of The FL Three
Integrated

On the rear panel are pair of RCA outputs labeled pre
out that can convert this integrated amplifier into a preamplifier only unit.
This would come in handy for someone like me who also has six power amplifiers
on hand at all times in my main system. Four of those six amplifiers are tube
based and would match up well with the solid-state FL Three. While the need for
more power never arose during my time with the FL Three, it was good to know
that the option to have more was there if and when needed. I was though tempted
to mate my 1960's Harman Kardon Citation 1 tube power amplifier with the FL
Three to see what it would sound like. Using the 60-Watt tube power amplifier
controlled by the FL Three as a preamplifier into my Magnepan 3.6 loudspeakers,
the sound was glorious. It did not really take me by surprise that the KT-88
driven Citation 1 would drive those loudspeakers but that the Audia Flight would
sound as good as a preamplifier only truly amazed me. The combination of tubes
and solid state produced a sound I could easily live with, and did for days. I
am not suggesting that one buy this unit to use as a preamplifier but it should
serve you well if like me there were days when you preferred to mix it up with
different amplifiers from time to time.

If
that is still not enough for you, the FL Three has a by-pass feature, accessed
through the remote control unit allowing it be used as a power amplifier through
a specific input. Be careful though and read the owner's manual as using it that
way will then necessitate you have a preamplifier to adjust volume. Before
wrapping up this review I would be amiss if I did not mention its headphone
out/loudspeaker off feature. Sometimes my late night antics can be slightly
annoying to my beautiful sleeping wife and so either a lowering of volume or
switching over to headphone listening is a must. With the FL Three in place and
the loudspeaker off button activated, listening was still a pleasure for both me
and my resting wife. I ran a pair of Sennheiser HD497 headphones through the FL
Three and was quite pleased with the results.

Summation

My recommendation is that if you are not happy with
what you hear from these two components, think hard about all the associated
gear and cables you paired it with. Everything including the source music (some
recordings are just not up to par) and the actual room itself, as all will be
laid bare. This revealing combination of integrated amplifier and CD player will
throw back at you what you feed it, perhaps even exposing weaknesses in your
other components. Give them some good source material, good cabling, than add
full range loudspeakers if you can and off you will go towards audio nirvana.
Not only that but the versatility of both and especially the FL Three makes this
winning combo a must audition duo for anyone contemplating laying out really big
bucks for separates. While not by far the ultimate in high-end audiophile terms
it would seem hard for me to imagine most people not being very satisfied with
them. You can definitely buy more in the way of sound reproduction but you might
want to ask yourself at what price and is that tradeoff worth it to you. For
some it will be, though I suspect that for many they will be quite content with
their purchase of these two high-end products from Civitavecchia Italy. Still if
you demand more remember these are "entry level" Audia Flight components, so
check out the rest of their lineup before moving on. For my money and tastes
they satisfied me quite nicely and both get a very strong-thumb up
recommendation.

The Listening Environment

The review room is eighteen feet eight inches long by
thirteen feet wide with loudspeakers and equipment kept on the short wall. The
cathedral ceiling starts at eight feet on the short wall slopping upwards to
reach a height of thirteen feet in the middle than returning to eight feet at
the opposite end. The hardwood floor is partially covered by a nine by six foot
oriental rug lying down the long ways facing toward the loudspeakers, placed
dead center between but not under the listener or the audio rack. The room has
no doors but there are two openings. One opening is in front of the right
loudspeaker on the long wall giving access to the hallway the other behind the
listening position to a formal dining area. There are two large floor standing
GIF Tri-trap acoustical panels one in each corner of the short wall in front of
the listener and two panels from Acoustic Revive (AR) located on the wall
directly behind each loudspeaker. A third AR panel is placed flat against the
right side wall with Numerous Auralex Studio foam squares to found placed along
walls and high up in each of the four corners of the room. All the audio
equipment is located in a Synergy Twin S30 Salamander audio rack placed about a
foot away from and in the middle of the short wall opposite the listening
position.

Review EquipmentMagnepan 3.6R Loudspeakers placed on special custom
made three wooden layer platforms